Energy Crisis

U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has reintroduced legislation he believes is crucial to heading off a future national energy crisis. Lugar brought back several bills that had been introduced but not passed in 2006, including the National Fuels Initiative, which is intended to support the growth of alternative fuel production. He also reintroduced the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act, which would ensure that energy security is integrated into U.S. diplomatic priorities. Lugar re-introduced the American Fuels Act, with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Things are heating up in Wisconsin. After the second snowiest December on record in the state capital -- and with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Tuesday -- the Legislature abolished a statewide ban on heated sidewalks, stairs, entrances and pedestrian walkways. The bill, which cleared the state Assembly in October and was approved unanimously Tuesday by the state Senate, overturns a law passed in 1980s in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. Wisconsin is the only state that had such a prohibition in the books.

Pledging to fix the economy and create a better image of the United States abroad, presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., made her appearance at Coveleski Stadium Saturday with former Gov. Joe Kernan and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. Clinton said she was ready to play ball for South Bend, the state of Indiana and the country. Clinton told the crowd, which filled most of the field and the box seats at the Cove, that her candidacy is an historic moment for the country. "I need your help to make it clear that weÂ?

Mary, mother of Jesus, no doubt worked hard to maintain her first-century home. She cooked, cleaned and changed diapers -- all without the amenities we have now. She had her relationship with her husband to sustain, as well as ties with friends and relatives. (She attended the wedding at Cana after all, and there probably were other weddings as well.) While she may not have held a job outside the home, just how did she handle all the responsibilities in her life and keep her inner peace?

Pick up any publication today and you will see alarming claims about corn-ethanol driving the world into famine. Two years ago, the same publications were heralding ethanol as the savior of America's energy crisis. The truth is somewhere in between, and it is time for a calm, rational analysis of ethanol's contributions and limitations. The best way to begin a rational discussion is to address some of the biggest myths about ethanol. Myth No. 1 -- Ethanol is a perfect fuel and is the "silver bullet" the U.S. needs.

SOUTH BEND -- An energy bill introduced right before the U.S. House went into recess until September is one that could see trillions of dollars flow back into the U.S. economy over the next 10 years, said two local members of Congress advocating the bill together. U.S. Reps. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, and Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, spent part of Friday traveling together on behalf of the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. The act would open for drilling an area known as the outer continental shelf -- parts of the sea floor not in the deep ocean, but too far away to be seen from shore.

Responding to consumer outrage at the high cost of gasoline, the president and Congress (including Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger) are rushing to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and our coastal plains. Please listen, everyone: We cannot drill our way out of high prices and gas shortages. The oil derived from such drilling would be a decade away and a pittance of what we need -- if it weren't sold to China first. Far more sensible solutions are to use what we have more wisely (energy efficiency)

SOUTH BEND -- An energy bill introduced right before the U.S. House went into recess until September is one that could see trillions of dollars flow back into the U.S. economy over the next 10 years, said two local members of Congress advocating the bill together. U.S. Reps. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, and Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, spent part of Friday traveling together on behalf of the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. The act would open for drilling an area known as the outer continental shelf -- parts of the sea floor not in the deep ocean, but too far away to be seen from shore.

INDIANAPOLIS Â? Sen. Hillary Clinton says Hoosiers need more jobs and that sheÂ?s the best person to make sure they get them. Sen. Barack Obama says change is needed in Washington, and that heÂ?s the best person to effect it. And while the two Democrats tried to convince the crowd that they each were the best person to occupy the White House come Jan. 20, party leaders told the nearly 2,300 donors at a Sunday night fundraiser that Hoosier Democrats should unite behind whichever candidate becomes the nominee.

The many George Rickey sculptures placed around downtown South Bend are a delight, moving gently and gracefully in the breeze, reflecting sky and earth, always changing, always fascinating. After watching them play in the wind, the DiSuvero in the river seems heavy, and not really kinetic, and I wish, as I have for years, that a Rickey had been chosen for that spot. But with the College Football Hall of Fame moving out and perhaps funds being made available again, what an opportunity for either the city or some generous benefactor to step forward and make two or three of these wonderful Rickeys permanent in the city of his birth.

Regarding the energy crisis: Let's begin by saying that we are in a crisis. The media downplays this and acts like oil is our only option. Well, it's not and it hasn't been for some time, but the oil and coal companies have spent millions in lobbying and advertising to block the switch to clean energy. We Americans need to take back this country and Repower America! Let our leaders know that we want and need clean energy now! Just think where we would be today if we weren't dependent on foreign oil. Does anyone really think we would still be occupying the Middle East?

As political and news discussion of the oil crisis continues, I never hear anybody talk about conservation. We need immediately to begin to significantly increase our focus on fuel conservation. If not, we'll pay a huge price and have to do it later anyway. I suggest that we learn from Europe. After World War II, Europe invested in rail and metro transportation systems. Passenger trains between cities run at 120 mph. The United States could do this relatively quickly at reasonable cost.

SOUTH BEND -- An energy bill introduced right before the U.S. House went into recess until September is one that could see trillions of dollars flow back into the U.S. economy over the next 10 years, said two local members of Congress advocating the bill together. U.S. Reps. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, and Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, spent part of Friday traveling together on behalf of the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. The act would open for drilling an area known as the outer continental shelf -- parts of the sea floor not in the deep ocean, but too far away to be seen from shore.

SOUTH BEND -- An energy bill introduced right before the U.S. House went into recess until September is one that could see trillions of dollars flow back into the U.S. economy over the next 10 years, said two local members of Congress advocating the bill together. U.S. Reps. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, and Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, spent part of Friday traveling together on behalf of the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. The act would open for drilling an area known as the outer continental shelf -- parts of the sea floor not in the deep ocean, but too far away to be seen from shore.

Responding to consumer outrage at the high cost of gasoline, the president and Congress (including Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger) are rushing to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and our coastal plains. Please listen, everyone: We cannot drill our way out of high prices and gas shortages. The oil derived from such drilling would be a decade away and a pittance of what we need -- if it weren't sold to China first. Far more sensible solutions are to use what we have more wisely (energy efficiency)

Many motorists canÂ?t bear to watch the gas pump register above $30, $40, $50 so they stop the flow with room in the tank, putting off the purchase until later. Â?Most people, they donÂ?t fill up,Â? says Mike Kwasny at Super Speedway near Cleveland and Brick. Â?TheyÂ?ll put $20 or $25 in the tank.Â? But trucks account for some three-fourths of the stationÂ?s business, partly because truckers buy more in the store as well as more gas, and Kwasny hasnÂ?t noticed any change in their habits.

Pick up any publication today and you will see alarming claims about corn-ethanol driving the world into famine. Two years ago, the same publications were heralding ethanol as the savior of America's energy crisis. The truth is somewhere in between, and it is time for a calm, rational analysis of ethanol's contributions and limitations. The best way to begin a rational discussion is to address some of the biggest myths about ethanol. Myth No. 1 -- Ethanol is a perfect fuel and is the "silver bullet" the U.S. needs.

INDIANAPOLIS Â? Sen. Hillary Clinton says Hoosiers need more jobs and that sheÂ?s the best person to make sure they get them. Sen. Barack Obama says change is needed in Washington, and that heÂ?s the best person to effect it. And while the two Democrats tried to convince the crowd that they each were the best person to occupy the White House come Jan. 20, party leaders told the nearly 2,300 donors at a Sunday night fundraiser that Hoosier Democrats should unite behind whichever candidate becomes the nominee.

Pledging to fix the economy and create a better image of the United States abroad, presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., made her appearance at Coveleski Stadium Saturday with former Gov. Joe Kernan and Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. Clinton said she was ready to play ball for South Bend, the state of Indiana and the country. Clinton told the crowd, which filled most of the field and the box seats at the Cove, that her candidacy is an historic moment for the country. "I need your help to make it clear that weÂ?